Device with an acoustically controlled flow region, system comprising such a device, and method

Abstract

The invention relates to a device comprising a flow region which is designed to allow fluid to flow with a flow property. The device comprises an actuator device which is designed to change the flow property of the flow region and additionally comprises an acoustic sensor device which is designed to receive an acoustic signal and output a sensor signal based on the acoustic signal. The device comprises an analysis device which is designed to analyze the sensor signal in order to obtain an analysis result. The device is designed to actuate the actuator device on the basis of the analysis result in order to change the flow property.

Description

[0001] Device with an acoustically controlled flow area, system with such a device and method

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to a device for acoustically controlling a flow area, to a system comprising such a device, and to a method for controlling the flow of a fluid. The present invention particularly relates to the acoustic detection of the intended use of fluids and / or operating aids with automatic fluid dosing.

[0004] Especially in the kitchen, a lot of fresh water is used, often hot water. Depending on the intended use, the flow rate requirements vary greatly. For example, if something needs to be rinsed spontaneously under running water, such as a kitchen knife, a very low, possibly additionally focused, flow rate is sufficient. However, if a container is being filled, such as a pot of water for boiling, a very high flow rate is desired for reasons of time efficiency, allowing the container to quickly reach the desired fill level.

[0005] While today's standard single-lever mixers allow for adjustment of water flow and temperature, they often require great sensitivity and a considerable amount of time to optimally adjust, an effort that users generally don't make. This leads to excessive water consumption. The only way to focus the water stream for smaller amounts of water is currently available with water-saving attachments, which, by design, reduce the maximum flow rate.

[0006] There is therefore a need for well-adjustable devices for setting a flow range for fluids.

[0007] An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a device, a system comprising such a device, and a method that allow a flow area for conducting a fluid to be precisely adjusted with regard to its properties. This object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent patent claims.

[0008] According to one embodiment, a device comprises a flow region configured to allow a fluid with a flow characteristic to flow. The device comprises an actuator device configured to change the flow characteristic of the flow region. The device comprises an acoustic sensor device configured to receive an acoustic signal and output a sensor signal based on the acoustic signal. The device comprises an analysis device configured to analyze the sensor signal to obtain an analysis result. The device is configured to control the actuator device based on the analysis result to change the flow characteristic.

[0009] The control of the flow characteristic based on the acoustic sensor device and the analysis device makes it possible to adjust the flow characteristics based on the acoustic signal, which enables good adjustability and is easy to implement.

[0010] According to one embodiment, the acoustic sensor device is configured to receive structure-borne sound from a collection area, such as a sink, and to output the sensor signal based on the structure-borne sound. This enables reliable detection of sound waves as well as diversification, for example, with regard to the origin of the structure-borne sound, enabling a high-dimensional solution space.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the acoustic sensor device is configured to receive airborne sound and to output the sensor signal based on the airborne sound. Airborne sound enables, for example, analyzing the interaction between the fluid and an object encountered by the fluid and / or performing speech recognition. Both concepts can be received in the sensor device alternatively or in combination with one another.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the fluid is a liquid, in particular water. This enables implementation, for example, in sinks and a reduction or optimization of water consumption. According to one embodiment, the flow characteristic is at least one of a start or end of the flow, a flow rate of the fluid, a flow velocity of the fluid, a flow duration of the fluid, a focusing of the fluid in an outlet region of the flow region, a composition of the fluid from a plurality of fluid sources, and a temperature of the fluid, which enables precise adjustment.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the analysis device is configured to analyze the sensor signal for a sensor signal property continuously or repeatedly during a flow of the fluid. The device is configured to control the actuator device to stop the flow of the fluid based on the sensor signal property reaching a predetermined setpoint or threshold value. This enables an automatic and situation-adapted stopping of the fluid flow.

[0014] The analysis device can be configured to analyze the sensor signal in a time domain and / or a frequency domain for one or more properties. For example, an analysis can be performed to determine whether a specific amplitude value has been reached in the time domain and / or the frequency domain, as well as the analysis of a temporal repetition or repetition rate of occurring events. A frequency domain analysis, for example, by deriving and / or analyzing a spectrum based on the sensor signal, can be advantageous for distinguishing one event from another.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the analysis device is designed to analyze a spectrum of the sensor signal continuously or repeatedly during a flow of the fluid. An increasing fill level of a vessel filled with the fluid can correlate with an increasing frequency of the spectrum. The device is designed, for example, to control the actuator device to stop a flow of the fluid based on reaching a predetermined frequency and / or based on reaching a predetermined increase in the frequency starting from an original value. This means that when a corresponding frequency is reached or after detecting a change in frequency, the system detects the fill level of the vessel and stops the flow at or before the vessel overflows. This makes it possible to avoid waste.According to one embodiment, the device is configured to control the actuator device based on information in the sensor signal that a vessel to be filled with the fluid is full or overflowing, in order to stop the flow. Automatically stopping the flow allows for minimal loss or waste of the fluid. Using the sensor signal as an information source, such behavior is easily controllable, particularly automatable.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the analysis device is configured to analyze the sensor signal for a number of consecutive repetitions of a transient event, such as those caused by knocking noises, in order to obtain the analysis result. The device is configured to control the actuator device differently based on different numbers of repetitions. This enables simple control, for example, by a different number of transient events.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the analysis device is designed to analyze the sensor signal for a spectrum of a transient event, which, for example, correlates with a location at which the transient event is caused. The device is designed to perform a comparison with a plurality of predetermined spectra in order to obtain the analysis result. The device is designed to control the actuator device based on a similarity to one of the plurality of predetermined spectra and to assign a different control of the actuator device to each of the plurality of spectra. Alternatively or in addition to the number of repetitions of a transient event, in embodiments a location of the transient event can be evaluated, which can be associated with different information, so that taking this into account enables an improved adjustment of the fluid flow.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the plurality of different spectra is associated with at least one of a location of an origin of the transient event and a nature of an object triggering the transient event. This enables very accurate adjustment of the flow characteristic, since, for example, the object treated with the fluid can be inferred or at least a predetermined distinction can be used, since, for example, rinsing a knife is treated differently than filling a container. According to one embodiment, the analysis device is designed to analyze the sensor signal in response to a voice command, wherein the device is designed to control the actuator device in accordance with a recognized voice command. This enables precise control of the fluid by means of voice.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the device is configured for a learning operating mode and an execution mode. In the learning mode, the device is configured to receive at least one piece of information relating to a sensor signal, for example, from the acoustic sensor device or by means of programming, and to receive information relating to a control of the actuator device, and to combine the information relating to the sensor signal with the information relating to the control device. In the execution mode, the device is configured to execute the control of the actuator device based on what was learned in the learning operating mode. This enables adaptation of the device to individual and / or time-varying environmental conditions.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the device is designed as a faucet, filling device, level monitoring device, rinsing device, or dosing device. This enables the diverse applications of the embodiments described herein.

[0021] According to one embodiment, a system comprises a device described herein and a collection region. According to one embodiment, the acoustic sensor device is configured to receive structure-borne sound from the collection region, wherein the device is configured to control, based on different properties of the structure-borne sound, at least one of a flow rate of the fluid, a flow velocity of the fluid, a flow duration of the fluid, a focusing of the fluid in an outlet region of the flow region, a temperature of the fluid, and a composition of the fluid from a plurality of fluid sources by controlling the actuator device. The analysis of structure-borne sound, in particular of the collection region, enables high error robustness, since structure-borne sound is at most slightly influenced by ambient noise, such as the escaping fluid.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the acoustic signal is based on a settling noise in the collection area. Alternatively or additionally, the acoustic signal is based on an object-related knocking noise on or in the collection area. The device is designed to control the actuator device differently based on different origins of the acoustic signal and / or patterns in the acoustic signal. This enables simple and reliable control of the flow area, possibly even based on the operating noises emitted during use and / or introduction of the respective objects into the collection area.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the system is designed to initiate the flow of fluid automatically or in response to a subsequent knocking sound when a vessel is placed in the collection area. This allows for a low-effort start of the flow.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the system is designed to automatically stop the flow of fluid when a vessel is placed in the collection area as soon as the sensor signal indicates that the vessel is full or overfilled. For example, filling can begin automatically when the vessel is placed down and stop when the fill level is reached.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the system is configured to analyze a noise generated by the fluid in or at the collection area using the sensor device and the analysis device, and to adjust, based on a match with one of a plurality of different noises, a focus of the fluid from a plurality of different focuses associated with the matching noise using the actuator device. Alternatively or additionally, the system can adjust, based on a match with one of a plurality of different noises, a flow rate of the fluid from a plurality of different flow rates associated with the matching noise using the actuator device.The system can therefore adjust different focus and / or flow rate settings based on different detected and analyzed sounds, which is advantageous in terms of consumption and time expenditure.

[0026] According to one embodiment, a method comprises analyzing a noise in a region or structure of a fluid collection area to obtain an analysis result. The method comprises controlling the flow of the fluid through a flow area based on the analysis result. This provides comparable advantages to those of a device according to the invention.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the sound comprises a voice command, mechanical contact with the area or structure of the collection area, and the control comprises starting or stopping the flow. This enables reliable and robust adjustment of the fluid flow.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the noise is generated by the fluid and the controlling includes adjusting the flow rate, the flow velocity, the fluid temperature, stopping the flow, or adjusting a focusing of the fluid at an outlet from the flow area.

[0029] Further advantageous embodiments are the subject of further dependent patent claims.

[0030] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0031] Fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a device according to an embodiment;

[0032] Fig. 2 is a schematic side sectional view of a system according to an embodiment;

[0033] Fig. 3 is a schematic plan view of a system according to an embodiment;

[0034] Fig. 4 is a schematic side sectional view of a flow area according to an embodiment;

[0035] Fig. 5 is a schematic side sectional view of a vessel for discussing embodiments described herein; and

[0036] Fig. 6 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method according to one embodiment. Before exemplary embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings, it should be noted that identical, functionally equivalent, or equivalent elements, objects, and / or structures are provided with the same reference numerals in the different figures, so that the description of these elements presented in different exemplary embodiments is interchangeable or can be applied to one another.

[0037] The embodiments described below are described in conjunction with numerous details. However, embodiments may also be implemented without these detailed features. Furthermore, for clarity, embodiments are described using block diagrams instead of detailed illustrations. Furthermore, details and / or features of individual embodiments may be readily combined with one another, unless explicitly described otherwise.

[0038] The following embodiments refer to a flow region configured to allow a fluid with a flow characteristic to flow. The fluid may be liquid, but embodiments are not limited thereto. Gaseous fluids, for example, which are conveyed in a pressure vessel or filled into or discharged from a container, may also be used with the embodiments described herein.

[0039] Some of the embodiments described herein refer in particular to a faucet or the like, which provides a flow area and is designed to release water as a fluid into a sink as a collecting area for the fluid. The present invention relates to the control of the flow characteristic based on an acoustic signal. The embodiments described herein are therefore neither limited to water as the fluid, nor to a sink as the collecting area, if present, nor to a faucet or the like as a flow area. Alternatively or in addition to a faucet, a device described herein can be designed as a filling device for filling a fluid to be filled, as a fill level monitoring device for monitoring a fill level of a fluid, a rinsing device, and / or as a dosing device. Fig.Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a device 10 according to one embodiment. The device 10 comprises a flow region 12 configured to allow a fluid 14 with a flow characteristic to flow.

[0040] The flow characteristic can, for example, comprise a start or an end of the flow, can refer to a flow rate of the fluid, to a flow rate of the fluid, to a flow duration of the fluid, to a focusing of the fluid in an outlet region 16, for example in the region of a aerator or the like, to a composition of the fluid from a plurality of fluid sources and / or to a temperature of the fluid 14.

[0041] An actuator device 18 of the device 10 is designed to change or adjust the flow characteristic of the flow region 12. If the flow characteristic is, for example, a start or end of the flow, the change in the flow characteristic relates, for example, to the opening or closing of a valve. If the flow characteristic is, for example, a flow rate of the fluid, this can be adjusted by the actuator device 18, for example, by adjusting the duration during which a valve is open and / or by adjusting the degree of opening within a specific period of time.

[0042] The device 10 comprises an acoustic sensor device 22 configured to receive an acoustic signal 24 and output a sensor signal 26 based on the acoustic signal 24. The device further comprises an analysis device 28 configured to analyze the sensor signal 26 to obtain an analysis result 32.

[0043] The device 10 is configured to control the actuator device 18 based on the analysis result 32 to change the flow characteristic. This can be done directly with the analysis device 28 and / or using intermediary devices, for example, a processor device, a control device, a microcontroller, or the like.

[0044] The sensor device 22 can be configured to receive structure-borne sound from a receiving area and / or to receive airborne sound. The acoustic signal 24 can thus be structure-borne sound, but can alternatively also comprise airborne sound. The analysis device 28 can be configured to evaluate the sensor signal 26 with regard to a frequency response, a spectrum, an amplitude, a duration, a repetition number or repetition rate, in particular transient events or the like. This does not preclude further or more computationally intensive evaluations, such as speech analysis or the like.The analysis device can be designed to perform the analysis in such a way that an analysis result, such as a determined signal amplitude, a repetition rate, a property of a spectrum such as frequencies contained or not contained therein, frequency components, amplitudes of frequencies, or a change in the frequency response over time, is compared with values ​​stored in a data memory (not shown), such as comparison values ​​or threshold values. Alternatively or additionally, spectra or their representations can also be stored in such a data memory and used by the analysis device 32 for a similarity comparison or the like, which can be used, for example, to assign a location of an occurring event by means of comparison, for example, when different control actions are assigned to different locations.

[0045] The sensor device 22 can be designed to output the sensor signal 26 continuously or at discrete times or based on corresponding triggering events. The analysis device 28 can be designed to evaluate the sensor signal 26 before, during, or after the flow of the fluid 14. An evaluation by the analysis device 28 can be carried out continuously or repeatedly over time. For example, the analysis device 28 can analyze the sensor signal for a sensor property, for example amplitudes or frequency components. The device 10 can be designed to control the actuator device 18 to stop the flow of the fluid 14 after the flow of the fluid 14 through the flow region 12 has started upon reaching a predetermined target value of a sensor signal property and / or upon reaching a corresponding threshold value of the sensor signal property.

[0046] For example, a vessel to be filled can be arranged in such a way as to receive the fluid 14 from the outlet region 16. The impact of the fluid in the vessel can lead to the development of noise, wherein frequency components of this noise can be based on the decreasing free volume of the vessel. The decreasing free volume can lead to an increase in frequency components, so that, for example, the reaching of predetermined frequencies and / or the reaching of a predetermined increase in frequency starting from an original value can be interpreted by the analysis device 28 in such a way that the device 10 controls the actuator device 18 to stop the flow of the fluid 14. This is achieved, for example, in that the analysis device 28 continuously or repeatedly analyzes a spectrum of the sensor signal 26 during the flow of the fluid 14.In other words, the analysis device 28 can be designed to evaluate the sensor signal 26 for a frequency change and / or a sound change in the acoustic signal 24.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the device is designed to control the actuator device 18 based on information in the sensor signal 26, such as the changing frequency components, that a vessel to be filled with the fluid is full or overflowing, in order to stop the flow of the fluid.

[0048] Fig. 2 shows a schematic side sectional view of a system 20 according to an embodiment. This comprises a configuration 10' of the device 10, in which, for example, the flow area 12 is formed as a faucet and the fluid 14 comprises water.

[0049] The system 20 comprises a collection area 34 designed to collect the fluid 14. The collection area 14 may, in particular, comprise a basin, such as a sink, a washbasin, or the like. The sensor device 22 may, for example, comprise a microphone that monitors sound in the filling area or collection area 34. Alternatively or additionally, a microphone for structure-borne sound may also be provided.

[0050] The sensor device 22, the analysis device 28 and / or the actuator device 18 can each be integrated individually or in combination with one or more other components into the flow area 12, such as the faucet, and / or into the collection area 34 or as a separate component in radio connection or by means of a wired connection with these components.

[0051] The sensor device 22 can be designed to detect structure-borne sound from the flow area 12, the collection area 34, or other components mechanically connected thereto. Alternatively or additionally, the acoustic sensor device 22 can be designed to receive airborne sound, in particular in a region of the collection area 34. To control the faucet 12, for example, in addition to a start and / or end of the flow, alternatively or additionally one or more of a flow rate of the fluid 14, a flow velocity of the fluid 14, a flow duration of the fluid, or the like, or other properties of the flow can be controlled. For example, a focusing of the fluid 14 in the outlet area 16 of the flow area 12 can be adjusted.Focusing can, for example, be understood as a variable jet intensity or jet diameter and / or the splitting of a comparatively slow-flowing jet into several smaller jets flowing at a higher speed. Alternatively or additionally, a composition of the fluid can be adjusted from a plurality of fluid sources. In the example of the faucet, this can, for example, comprise individual control of the inflow of cold water and hot water, whereby not only the flow rate but also the temperature can be adjusted. Alternatively or additionally, a temperature of the fluid 14 can be adjusted by adjusting a heating intensity of a wash basin tap, which may be designed to receive only cold water and then heats it with energy, such as an electric current, as it flows through.If this example is transferred to other technical areas, such as filling plants or the like, it becomes clear that a larger number of fluid sources can also be controlled individually or in combination.

[0052] Fig. 3 shows a schematic plan view of a system 30 according to an embodiment, which can essentially comprise the components of the system 20 and on the basis of which particularly advantageous embodiments of the present invention are explained in more detail.

[0053] The sensor device 22 is configured in the system 30 to detect at least structure-borne sound from a region of the collection area 34. For example only, the collection area 34 has an edge area 36 and a possibly recessed basin area 38. Based on different configurations, material thicknesses, and / or distances from the sensor device 22, the acoustic signal 24 that occurs from a possibly transient event at different locations P P7 can differ from one another, for example, in the spectral range. A knocking sound, for example, can be used as a transient event. Such a knocking sound can be generated by a user knocking at one of the locations P1-P7 with a finger, fist, elbow, or the like, although this is not limiting.For example, stroking a surface can also generate a characteristic property in the sensor signal as a non-transient event. Alternatively or additionally, a possibly transient noise can also be obtained by placing an object down, for example, when a pot, a glass, or the like is placed in the basin area 38. Thus, the acoustic signal 24 can not only differ from similar events starting from the location P1-P7, but can also, based on the evaluation in the analysis device 28, provide a conclusion as to what exactly caused the event. The different locations can be, for example, in the basin area 38, adjacent thereto, or also, as at location P7, the faucet itself, i.e., embodiments enable a knock or the like on the faucet to be detected and a predetermined action based thereon to be carried out.

[0054] According to one embodiment, the analysis device 28 can analyze the sensor signal such that the sensor signal 26 is analyzed for a spectrum of a transient event and, in the process, a comparison is carried out with a plurality of predetermined spectra to obtain the analysis result 32. The device in the system 30 can be configured to control the actuator device 18 based on a similarity to one of the plurality of predetermined spectra, wherein each of the plurality of spectra is assigned a different control of the actuator device. For example, a knock at one of the locations P1, P4, and P5 can be associated with an individual or at least group-wise different instruction, for example, water start, water stop, water warmer, water colder, or a specific flow duration.

[0055] Alternatively or additionally, the analysis device 28 can be configured to analyze the sensor signal 26 for a number of consecutive repetitions of a transient event, such as a knocking noise, to obtain the analysis result 32. The device in the system 30 can be configured to control the actuator device differently based on different numbers. For example, a first number of transient noises can signal the beginning of a flow, and a different number, or a repeated knock of the same number, can be used to stop the flow again.

[0056] The majority of different spectra evaluated by the analysis device 28 for comparison purposes can be stored, for example, in a data storage device directly or indirectly linked to the analysis device. However, it is not absolutely necessary to store a specific spectrum. Alternatively or additionally, the parameters evaluated for control purposes can also be stored in whole or in part, or information that enables the derivation of the determining variables or comparison variables.

[0057] The various entries in the data storage device can be associated with a respective location of the origin of the transient event and / or a nature of an object triggering the transient event, such as a finger, pot, glass, or the like. This enables, for example, control by the analysis device 28 or a device receiving the evaluation result 32 to distinguish or identify whether a glass or a pot is placed in the basin area 38, whereupon the system 30 automatically starts the water flow. For example, cold water can be used for a glass and warm or hot water for a pot.

[0058] Alternatively or additionally, the acoustic sensor device 22 of the apparatus 10, the system 20 and / or the system 30 can be designed to receive airborne sound as the acoustic sensor signal 24. Even if the use of airborne sound is not absolutely necessary for this purpose, it is particularly advantageous for the analysis device 28 to be designed such that, during a flow of the fluid, it continuously or repeatedly analyzes the sensor signal 26 for a sensor signal property, such as frequency components and spectrum, wherein the device of the system 30 can be designed to control the actuator device to stop a flow of the fluid based on the predetermined target value or threshold value of the sensor signal property being reached.This means that the system 20 and / or 30 can not only be designed to control the flow area 12, but that, for example, an automatic activation of the flow can also take place when, for example, a pot or a glass is placed in the collection area 34 and that at the same time an analysis is carried out as to when the fluid should be turned off again, for example by monitoring when the frequency components have increased sufficiently or have reached a threshold value.

[0059] This does not preclude the analysis device 28 of a device described herein from being configured to analyze the sensor signal, particularly upon receipt of airborne sound, in response to a voice command. Such a device may be equipped with a voice analysis recognition feature, wherein the device is configured to control the actuator device 18 according to a recognized voice command.

[0060] Compared to systems in which, for example, a voice assistant is used to obtain the meaning of a voice command online and to receive a control command from the Internet, which is then sent by the voice assistant to a faucet, the systems described herein differ in that at least the acoustic sensor device 22 is part of the device and / or the system and is integrated, for example, into the device or the flow area 12 and / or into the collecting area 34.

[0061] A device described herein can be preconfigured, but can also be fully or partially configurable by a user. For this purpose, a device described herein can have a noise operating mode and an execution mode. In the learning operating mode, the device can receive at least one piece of information relating to a sensor signal, for example from the acoustic sensor device 22, and one piece of information relating to a control of the actuator device. For example, a knocking noise or another information source can be set in a specific context with a manually set control of the actuator device, and this can be stored in a data memory of the device. Thus, the information relating to the sensor signal 26 can be combined with the information relating to the control, for example in a data memory.During the learning mode, several pieces of information can also be made available, which can be the same or identical information or different information, for example based on a particular learning concept.

[0062] The device can be configured to execute the control of the actuator device in the execution mode based on what was learned in the learning operating mode. Such a learning mode makes it possible, for example, to preset a pot's fill level and / or a desired temperature, which can then be recalled when the knocking noises occur, such as location-specific knocking noises (locations Pi to P7) or object-specific knocking noises (finger, glass, pot, etc.).

[0063] The analysis device 28 can have a neural network that can be trained during the learning mode, for example, to analyze the acoustic signal. For this purpose, several identical signals can be made available to the neural network for training. Alternatively or additionally, the neural network can also be given information about what should not be recognized or about which events should not trigger an action. This can be used, for example, to distinguish between placing a glass away from the collection area 34, for example on a worktop or the like, and placing it in the sink area 38, in order to dispense with the fluid outlet when placing it next to the sink.

[0064] The neural network can, for example, learn and recognize properties of the sensor signal and assign them to actions, especially in a learning mode. A recognized event can then recall the action. Active recording of sounds can also occur in other ways, such as by temporarily recording a sound and storing it in a data storage device. For example, a frequency analysis of the recorded sound can be performed, and its characteristics can be stored in the data storage device.

[0065] According to one embodiment, a system described herein is equipped with the acoustic sensor device 22 in such a way as to receive the structure-borne sound from the collection region 34. The device 10" can be configured to control at least one of a flow rate of the fluid 14, a flow velocity of the fluid 14, a flow duration of the fluid 14, a focusing of the fluid 14 in the outlet region of the flow region 12, a temperature of the fluid 14, and a composition of the fluid from a plurality of fluid sources and / or a temperature of the fluid 14 based on different properties of the structure-borne sound by controlling the actuator device 18.

[0066] According to one embodiment, a system is configured such that the acoustic signal 24 is based on a settling noise in the collection area and / or an object-related knocking noise at or in the collection area 34. The device 10", like the device 10 or 10', can be configured to control the actuator device 18 differently based on different origins P1 to P7 of the acoustic signal 24 and / or patterns in the acoustic signal. Not only the number of repetitions or the repetition rate, but also possibly variable time intervals between transient events or the like can be evaluated as a pattern. According to one embodiment, a system described herein is configured to begin the flow of the fluid 14 automatically or depending on a subsequent knocking noise when a vessel is settling in the collection area 34.This can also describe a pattern in connection with the previous explanations, in which two different evaluation results are expected within a specific temporal relationship in order to stop the flow. This can, for example, ensure that placing a pot in the collection area 34 does not automatically start the fluid outlet, for example, if only the washing-up is to be stopped. However, if an event, such as a knocking sound, e.g., from a finger and / or possibly at a predetermined location, is received or detected within a predetermined time interval, the flow can be started and / or a specific temperature can be set, or the like.

[0067] Thus, a system described herein may alternatively or additionally be designed to automatically stop the flow of the fluid 14 when a vessel is placed in the collecting area 34 as soon as the sensor signal indicates that the vessel is filled or overfilled, for example by carrying out a frequency analysis.

[0068] A system described herein can be configured to analyze a noise generated by the fluid in or at the collection area using the sensor device 22 and the analysis device 28, and to use the actuator device 18 to adjust a focus of the fluid associated with the matching noise from a plurality of different focuses based on a match with one of a plurality of different noises. Alternatively or additionally, the system can be configured to adjust a flow rate of the fluid associated with the matching noise from a plurality of different flow rates based on a match with one of a plurality of different noises, which are stored, for example, in a data memory.

[0069] Fig. 4 shows a schematic side sectional view of a flow region 12 that discharges the fluid 14. The flow region 12 can be configured to adjust a focus 42 depending on an event detected in the sensor signal 26, so that, for example, upon detection of a specific location of a knocking noise or upon detection of a specific frequency spectrum that corresponds, for example, to a knife being rinsed, the jet is more focused (e.g., 422) than when filling a pot or the like. It can be adjusted between a plurality or multiplicity of at least two or even more different focussings.

[0070] Alternatively or additionally, the actuator device 18 can be designed to provide one or more fluid sources 44i to 44 n with n > 1 individually or in combination with each other, whereby the fluid sources 44 can mix to form the fluid 14.

[0071] Fig. 5 shows a schematic side sectional view of a vessel 50 which may be a source of the acoustic signal 24 for at least some actions of systems described herein.

[0072] Filling 14i with the fluid in a first amount can lead to the emission of the acoustic signal 24i at a first frequency f1. Increasing filling toward a level 142 can lead to the emission of an acoustic signal 242 at a different and, in particular, higher frequency f2, which can be detected by the sensor device 22 and associated by the analysis device 28 with an increasing filling level.

[0073] Fig. 6 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method 600 according to an embodiment. The method 600 includes a step 610 for analyzing a noise in a region or structure of a fluid collection area to obtain an analysis result. A step 620 includes controlling the flow of the fluid through a flow area based on the analysis result.

[0074] Such a method can be designed so that a perceived and evaluated sound can trigger a start or stop of the fluid flow. For example, the sensor signal can be analyzed for airborne sound and / or for predetermined properties in the sensor signal that are attributed to a flowing fluid, such as white or colored noise contained in the airborne or structure-borne sound. The method can be designed so that the sound comprises a voice command, mechanical contact with the area, such as a transient event, or the structure of the collection area, and the flow control, for example by means of an actuator device, comprises starting or stopping the flow.However, the method 600 can also be configured such that the noise is generated by the fluid, and the control includes adjusting the flow rate, flow velocity, fluid temperature, stopping the flow, or adjusting the focus of the fluid at an outlet from the flow area. For this purpose, the noise can be generated by the fluid, and the control 620 can include adjusting the flow rate, flow velocity, fluid temperature, stopping the flow, or adjusting the focus of the fluid at an outlet from the flow area.

[0075] In other words, embodiments of the present invention relate to the use of one or more acoustic sensors connected to an analysis unit for evaluating the acoustic signal and for detecting the intended use of water, which is connected to a water turn-on, a water turn-off, and / or a dosing system or a jet optimization system. According to a respective embodiment, a system or device described herein can be configured to detect various water uses based on the water noise, e.g., the noise of water flowing into a vessel (without generating structure-borne noise in the sink), or the rinsing of plates or knives, for example, based on the structure-borne noise in the sink.Alternatively or additionally, a device or system described herein can be configured to distinguish between different vessels into which the fluid flows, and thus, for example, to distinguish between pots and glasses. Embodiments relate to recognizing different objects based on the sound of the object being placed in the sink and controlling the flow area accordingly. Further embodiments relate to instructions from the user via acoustic command input, such as knocking in the sink, placing an object in the sink, or a combination of both actions, such as placing a pot in the sink and then knocking on the faucet.According to one embodiment, devices and / or systems are created in which a specifically learned operating sound or usage sound is stored for the water quantity, the water temperature and / or the jet optimization. Embodiments enable the recognition of voice commands and corresponding control of the water withdrawal. Embodiments further relate to the use of voice commands in combination with one or more of the aforementioned recognizers or identifiers or parameters, for example, when a pot is placed down, recognition of the pot as such, wherein the "water start" command comprises filling the pot. This can, for example, be different from filling a glass and can be coupled with a different flow rate or a different temperature of the fluid if a glass is placed down first and the same "water start" command is given.

[0076] Embodiments allow any combination of several detectors or identifiers, for example, when a pot is put down, recognition of the same as such and tapping on the tap to start filling the pot.

[0077] Embodiments further relate to detecting "wasteful" water flow, such as detecting an overflowing pot, for example, based on the change in sound when water overflows the edge of the pot. Alternatively or additionally, detection of so-called wasteful water flow can be achieved by detecting a filled pot, for example, based on a change in sound while the pot is being filled.

[0078] Embodiments enable improved or even optimal use of the water resource or the filled fluid at user-controlled dispensing points. This provides simplified, more efficient, and faster operation of fluid dispensing points. Time savings can result not only from the reduced operating effort required to open the dispensing points, but also from automatic shutoff, for example, when the container to be filled is full. Further potential also exists in kitchens, bathrooms, laboratories, and similar areas.

[0079] Further applications of the embodiments described herein include fill level detection in filling systems, such as bottle filling. Fill level detection can also be used generally when filling containers, e.g., when filling buckets, watering cans and gardens, slurry tankers in agriculture, rain barrels, or the like. Embodiments can be used to detect, switch, and meter solvents in various applications, such as rinsing a tool versus filling a transport container. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to apply embodiments for detecting and / or switching and / or metering viscous liquids, e.g., concrete, liquid plastic, or the like.Embodiments are therefore not limited to individual applications, but extend to all acoustically guided operations of fluid tapping points, in particular water tapping points.

[0080] Although some aspects have been described in connection with a device, it is understood that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, so that a block or component of a device can also be understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in connection with or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block, detail, or feature of a corresponding device.

[0081] Depending on specific implementation requirements, embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware or software. The implementation may be performed using a digital storage medium, such as a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blu-ray Disc, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, or a FLASH memory, a hard disk, or other magnetic or optical storage device storing electronically readable control signals that can interact or cooperate with a programmable computer system to perform the respective method. Therefore, the digital storage medium may be computer-readable.Some embodiments according to the invention thus comprise a data carrier having electronically readable control signals capable of interacting with a programmable computer system such that one of the methods described herein is carried out.

[0082] In general, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as a computer program product with a program code, wherein the program code is effective to perform one of the methods when the computer program product is run on a computer. The program code can also be stored, for example, on a machine-readable medium.

[0083] Other embodiments include the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein, wherein the computer program is stored on a machine-readable medium. In other words, one embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a computer program that has program code for performing one of the methods described herein when the computer program runs on a computer. Another embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a data carrier (or a digital storage medium or a computer-readable medium) on which the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein is recorded.

[0084] A further embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a data stream or a sequence of signals that represents the computer program for carrying out one of the methods described herein. The data stream or the sequence of signals can be configured, for example, to be transferred via a data communication connection, for example, via the Internet.

[0085] A further embodiment comprises a processing device, for example a computer or a programmable logic device, which is configured or adapted to carry out one of the methods described herein.

[0086] A further embodiment comprises a computer on which the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein is installed.

[0087] In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (e.g., a field-programmable gate array, an FPGA) may be used to perform some or all of the functionalities of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a field-programmable gate array may cooperate with a microprocessor to perform any of the methods described herein. In general, in some embodiments, the methods are performed by any hardware device. This may be general-purpose hardware such as a computer processor (CPU) or method-specific hardware such as an ASIC.

[0088] The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. It is understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein will be apparent to others skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the following claims and not by the specific details presented in the description and explanation of the embodiments herein.

Claims

Claims: Device comprising: a flow area (12) configured to allow a fluid (14) with a flow property to flow; an actuator (18) configured to change the flow property of the flow area (12); an acoustic sensor (22) configured to receive an acoustic signal (24) and output a sensor signal (26) based on the acoustic signal (24); an analysis device (28) configured to analyze the sensor signal (26) to obtain an analysis result (32); wherein the device is configured to control the actuator (18) based on the analysis result (32) to change the flow property. Device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic sensor (22) is configured to receive structure-borne sound from a collection area (34) and to output the sensor signal (26) based on the structure-borne sound.Device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the acoustic sensor device (22) is configured to receive airborne sound and to output the sensor signal (26) based on the airborne sound. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fluid (14) is a liquid, in particular water. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow characteristic consists of at least one of: a beginning or an end of the flow; • a flow rate of the fluid (14); • a flow rate of the fluid (14); • a flow time of the fluid (14); • a focusing (42) of the fluid (14) in an outlet area of ​​the flow area (12) • a composition of the fluid (14) from a plurality of fluid sources (44) • includes a temperature of the fluid (14).

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the analysis device (28) is configured to continuously or repeatedly analyze the sensor signal (26) for a sensor signal property during a flow of the fluid (14), wherein the device is configured to control the actuator device (18) to stop a flow of the fluid (14) based on reaching a predetermined setpoint or threshold value of the sensor signal property.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the analysis device (28) is configured to continuously or repeatedly analyze a spectrum of the sensor signal (26) during a flow of the fluid (14), wherein an increasing fill level of a vessel filled with the fluid (14) correlates with an increasing frequency of the spectrum, wherein the device is configured to control the actuator device (18) to stop a flow of the fluid (14) based on reaching a predetermined frequency and / or based on reaching a predetermined increase in frequency from an initial value.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, which is configured to control the actuator device (18) to stop the flow of the fluid (14) based on information in the sensor signal (26) that a vessel to be filled with the fluid (14) is filled or overflowing.A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the analysis device (28) is configured to analyze the sensor signal (26) for a number of successive repetitions of a transient event in order to obtain the analysis result (32), wherein the device is configured to control the actuator device (18) differently based on different numbers of repetitions. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the analysis device (28) is configured to analyze the sensor signal (26) for a spectrum of a transient event and to perform a comparison with a plurality of predetermined spectra in order to obtain the analysis result (32), wherein the device is configured to control the actuator device (18) based on a similarity to one of the plurality of predetermined spectra; wherein each of the plurality of spectra is associated with a different control of the actuator device (18).Device according to claim 10, wherein the plurality of different spectra are associated with at least one of:. • a location (P1-P7) of the origin of the transient event; • a device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the analysis device (28) is configured to analyze the sensor signal (26) in response to a voice command; wherein the device is configured to control the actuator device (18) according to a recognized voice command.Device according to one of the preceding claims, which is configured for a learning mode and an execution mode, and is configured to obtain at least one piece of information regarding a sensor signal (26), for example from the acoustic sensor device (22), and to obtain one piece of information regarding the control of the actuator device (18) in the learning mode, and to combine the information regarding the sensor signal (26) with the information regarding the control, wherein the device is configured to execute the control of the actuator device (18) in the execution mode based on what was learned in the learning mode. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, which is configured as a tap; filling device, level monitoring device, rinsing device, or dosing device. System comprising a device according to any one of the preceding claims and a collection area (34), in particular a basin. System according to claim 15, wherein the acoustic sensor device (22) is configured to receive structure-borne sound from the collection area (34); wherein the device is configured to control, based on different properties of the structure-borne sound, at least one of the following by actuating the actuator device (18): a flow rate of the fluid (14); a flow velocity of the fluid (14); a flow duration of the fluid (14); a focusing (42) of the fluid (14) in an outlet area of ​​the flow area (12); a temperature of the fluid (14); and a composition of the fluid (14) from a plurality of fluid sources (44).A system according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the acoustic signal (24) is based on a settling noise in the collection area (34); and / or an object-related knocking noise on or in the collection area (34); wherein the device is configured to control the actuator device (18) differently based on different origins (P1-P7) of the acoustic signal (24) and / or patterns in the acoustic signal (24). A system according to any one of claims 15 to 17, configured to automatically initiate the flow of the fluid (14) upon the settling of a vessel in the collection area (34) or depending on a subsequent knocking noise. A system according to any one of claims 15 to 18, configured to automatically stop the flow of the fluid (14) upon the settling of a vessel in the collection area (34) as soon as the sensor signal (26) indicates that the vessel is full or overfilled. System according to any one of claims 15 to 19, configured to analyze a noise generated by the fluid (14) in or at the collection area (34) with the sensor device (22) and the analysis device (28), and to adjust, based on a match with one of a plurality of different noises, a focus (42) of the fluid (14) from a plurality of different focuses (42) using the actuator device (18); and / or to adjust, based on a match with one of a plurality of different noises, a flow rate of the fluid (14) from a plurality of different flow rates using the actuator device (18). Method (600) comprising the following steps: Analyzing (610) a noise in an area or structure of a fluid collection area to obtain an analysis result; Controlling (620) the flow of fluid through a flow area based on the analysis result. A method according to claim 21, wherein the noise is a voice command, mechanical contact with the area or structure of the collection area, and the control comprises starting or stopping the flow. A method according to claim 21, wherein the noise is generated by the fluid, and the control comprises adjusting the flow rate, flow velocity, fluid temperature, stopping the flow, or focusing the fluid at an outlet from the flow area. A computer program comprising program code for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 21 to 23 when the program is running on a computer.

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